Tony and Mary Brucic reunited with the gold-plated hands that represent their son. Photo: James Coleman.
Tony and Mary Brucic were barely holding back the tears of joy this morning (5 November).
Back safe and sound in their hands were the two gold-plated hand sculptures stolen from the gravesite of their son, TJ, in the Gungahlin Cemetery in July this year.
“We’re absolutely thrilled,” Tony said.
“When we got to the cemetery and saw the two hands that symbolised TJ taken from his resting place, we just found it so disturbing that some people could actually do such a thing. So we’d just like to say a great thank you to the police.”
The Gungahlin Cemetery was the scene of a spate of crimes over several days in late July.
On top of the theft of the gold-plated hands, ACT Policing received three other reports, including from a woman whose phone was taken from her belongings while she was visiting a family member’s grave and from a man who returned to his car to find someone breaking into it.
A large rose-quartz stone marker, about 30 to 35 cm tall and 40 cm in diameter, was also stolen from the grave site of a young cancer victim.
According to TJ’s parents, one of the gold-plated hand gestures was inspired by TJ’s struggle with mental health, representing that “it’s okay to not be okay” and the other “the way he always used to acknowledge people instead of a wave”.
“You’d see him driving on the road, and instead of ‘hi mum’, it’d be the shaka,” Mary said.
Tony and Mary Brucic said they were “absolutely thrilled” to receive the hands back. Photo: James Coleman.
“It had great meaning to him and to us, so when he passed away, it was just appropriate to put these two hands on his headstone,” Tony added.
“I visit his grave every day, and when I got there, my heart sank. It took me back to the day we lost our son, and I was devastated. Not only for us, but also the rest of our family because people who would visit the grave would put a cigarette in the hand or a rosary, or a beer next to it.
“It symbolised a lot to our family and friends, so to have them taken was devastating and shattering.”
Investigations led officers to the home of a 39-year-old Bonner man.
Issued with a search warrant, police raided his home on Thursday, 31 October, and uncovered not only the gold-plated hands but also “multiple items” alleged to have been stolen from gravesites at the Gungahlin Cemetery, as well as ammunition, swords, number plates, methadone, mobile phones, and a pump-action rifle concealed within a vehicle seat.
The firearm is believed to have been stolen from a Chisholm home in May this year.
The man was arrested and will face court on 21 November, charged with possession of stolen property and possession of the stolen firearm.
The rose-quartz marker remains outstanding, but police ask the public to keep an eye out for it while they continue investigations, including by trawling online marketplaces like Facebook and Gumtree for any signs of it.
The rose quartz grave marker, weighing between 30 and 40 kg, is still missing. Photo: Supplied.
“Today, we’re pleased to be able to return some of the stolen property from the grave sites,” ACT Policing First Constable Kiera Seton said.
“Many cases like these don’t often have a positive outcome, so this particular case is rewarding.”
As for the gold-plated hands, they won’t be coming off again in a hurry.
“I’ll be bolting them in,” Tony said.
“No one’s going to get them anymore – believe me.”
Anyone who can assist police is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000, or via the Crime Stoppers ACT website. Please quote 7812019. Information can be provided anonymously.
Original Article published by James Coleman on Riotact.
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